Discover His heart: He speaks through those He chooses to deliver His message
I must admit that I have a certain affinity toward the prophet Amos. He was a shepherd who had visions! Minding his own business and tending sheep in the countryside just south of Bethlehem, he started to receive visions from the Lord. Perhaps the solitude of the country and the lack of social interaction provided the right atmosphere for God to communicate with Amos. This is something I think about when I find myself running all day long.
Amos was not from a family of prophets or priests, but he most certainly had a heart for God with open communication with him. He was a shepherd and used many metaphors from the pasture in his writings. Equally important to the lessons learned from what Amos said is the example of how his life reveals God’s intention to use anyone who is willing to touch the world.
Amos was a forerunner in the timeline of Israel’s next three professional prophets. Through divine revelation, he pronounced judgment on the surrounding countries as well as on Israel, and his tactic was brilliant. People often say that sheep are dumb, and with that thinking, it wouldn’t have taken much intelligence or skill for Amos to tend them. However, through my encounters with countless sheep and numerous shepherds, I can say with confidence that most sheep are not as dumb as they are willful. How better to describe the mindset of Israel at this time in history – pleasure seeking, idol worshiping willful sheep.
Just like with his sheep, Amos found a way to get the attention of Israel. In Chapters 1 and 2, Amos waxed eloquent on the judgment that was coming to Syria, Philistia, Tyre, Edom, and Ammon. This must have thrilled the Israelites, and I can imagine them shouting in agreement with Amos, “Yes! Get them, God, for their injustices to us.” It’s easy to see the error in the lives of others and overlook our own problems, and so it was Israel at that time.
Then in his proclamations, Amos lowered the boom, “This is what the Lord says: ‘The people of Judah have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They have rejected the instruction of the Lord, refusing to obey his decrees. They have been led astray by the same lies that deceived their ancestors. So I will send down fire on Judah, and all the fortresses of Jerusalem will be destroyed.’” (2:4-6) Party over.
The cultural norm of Israel at this time was not unlike what we are experiencing in the world today, a blending of right and wrong, blurred lines, everything gray. Do what feels right…it can’t be wrong if it feels so right…God only wants us to feel good. Many in Israel had crossed the line to what they knew to be wrong, yet did it anyway. After enumerating the ways God had attempted to get Israel’s attention through the years, Amos, speaking for God, delivered the final blow, “Therefore, I will bring upon you all the disasters I have announced. Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you people of Israel!” I’m relatively certain that any affection for Amos and his message was over.
We can somewhat understand the feelings of the Israelites at this point. I really don’t like it when a preacher, or a devotional for that matter, gets all up in my business and conviction comes to my heart. It’s easy to get uncomfortable and perhaps a little angry thinking, don’t mess with my gray areas and certainly don’t mess with my sin. It never helps to shoot the messenger; it only helps to submit to the message.
When I stand before the Lord one day, I want to have responded to His merciful messages, I want to have experienced His wonderful grace, and I want to hear something like, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23) So, messengers of God, bring it!
Moving Forward: I’m thankful today that He opens doors of ministry to each one of us, regardless of our backgrounds, and I’m ever challenged to submit to the messages that He brings my way.
Tomorrow @ John 16-18
Phyllis Benigas 